Stepping

From TheKeel

Stepping generally refers to the action of placing a mast onto a vessel.

Unstepping is the action of removing a mast, and stepping involves installing the mast.

Masts are generally deck or keel stepped, which indicates where the base of the mast is positioned. A keel stepped mast goes through a hole in the deck, while a deck stepped mast sits in a plate on the deck, with a compression post in the cabin providing vertical support.